Power player: Sonny Kelly of Fayetteville Urban Ministry

Friday

Mar 29, 2013 at 12:01 AMMar 29, 2013 at 3:40 PM

On stage: His acting chops have landed him numerous roles in both Gilbert Theater and Cape Fear Regional Theatre productions. He recently starred as civil rights activist Stokely Carmichael in CFRT's production of "The Parchman Hour."

His other half: He met his wife, Elenah, in the Air Force. She is now a Reserve protocol officer at Pope Field's 440th Airlift Wing.

Before Sonny Kelly led Fayetteville Urban Ministry programs that benefited military dependents and veterans, he was an Air Force captain who specialized in military intelligence.

He briefed airmen on regional politics, equipment and weapons before their missions, deployed to Kuwait and was stationed for a few years at what was then Pope Air Force Base.

He left the military in 2002 and worked to strengthen the Fayetteville Urban Ministry mentor program with grant money and volunteers.

Then, his wife, an Air Force officer, got orders to Randolph Air Force Base in Texas. A military move brought them back to Pope and Fayetteville years later.

He returned to Fayetteville Urban Ministry and focused on the Find-A-Friend youth program, which has helped military dependents. As the programs director, he hopes to partner with Fort Bragg soldiers on community projects and bring higher education and job search services to local veterans.

Kelly said he hopes the drawdown of troops in Afghanistan will allow more service members the time to volunteer in the community.

"And build some roots," he said. "So many soldiers want to be mentors."

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